Brian Jay-Scott Gaines

Brian Jay-Scott Gaines is a highly experienced FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) based in Eagle, Idaho, serving the Boise Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). His aviation journey began at the age of 15 in Apple Valley, California, and has since evolved into a distinguished career spanning over 35 years. As a Gold Seal Flight Instructor for more than two decades, Gaines holds CFI, CFII, and MEI ratings and has accumulated over 8,000 flight hours across more than 50 different aircraft types. His diverse professional background includes significant commercial experience as a Captain on PC-12, DHC-6, and BE1900 aircraft, as well as heavy jet night cargo operations in B-737 and B-767 airframes.

Beyond flight instruction, Gaines possesses a deep regulatory and safety background, having served as an Aviation Safety Counselor for the Long Beach FSDO and as an intern with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). He also served as the Chief Pilot for the University of Hawaii Pacific Aerospace Training Center before transitioning to the Boise area. Known for a rigorous safety-first mindset, he conducts checkrides that emphasize situational awareness, Pilot-in-Command (PIC) authority, and traditional navigation proficiency. His evaluations are respected for being thorough and fair, focusing on whether candidates demonstrate the sound judgment required for safe operations in the national airspace system.